ALWAGHT- A year later, post-Assad Syria is still gripped by sectarian violence, stalled justice, and shaky reforms.
It has been one year since the sudden end of the Assad dynasty's 53-year rule, following a swift offensive. While the new government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, has successfully reintegrated Syria into the international community through diplomatic outreach and eased sanctions, the domestic reality is marked by deep uncertainty and unresolved trauma. Tens of thousands celebrated the anniversary, but many Syrians express fear and frustration over the slow pace of justice and accountability for past atrocities, with sectarian violence continuing to claim lives.
Despite international recognition, Syria's fragile recovery is overshadowed by persistent cycles of sectarian violence. Targeted killings occur almost daily in cities like Homs, and major massacres against Alawite and Druze communities have heightened fears and deepened divisions. These events have eroded initial optimism, leaving minorities feeling besieged and hardening local demands for independence, as seen in Sweida province, which has become effectively cut off from the rest of the country.
Transitional justice efforts have been symbolic and uneven, failing to keep pace with ongoing violence or provide comprehensive national reconciliation. While there have been isolated acts of accountability, such as the public confession of a perpetrator, activists warn that underfunded institutions and the lack of a clear national strategy risk closing the window for meaningful justice. The slow progress fuels public anxiety that daily assassinations could undermine the state's stability and the promise of liberation.
A year after the regime's fall, fundamental questions about democracy and freedom remain unanswered. Although public criticism of authorities is now possible, the political structure remains highly centralized, with a powerful presidency and a parliament not elected by popular vote. New security bodies, like the political affairs bureau, restrict political organizing and civil society, leading observers to warn of creeping dictatorship. Syria thus stands at a crossroads, balancing diplomatic gains abroad against the unmet demands for justice, security, and genuine democratic reform at home.
